Текст книги "Love Dies Hard"
Автор книги: C. C. Cartwright
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LOVE Dies HARD 5
Hard to Love
Billionaire Romance Series
By
C.C. CARTWRIGHT
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
Copyright © 2015 by C.C. Cartwright
Cover Design by Louisa Maggio at LM Creations
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
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LOVE Dies HARD 1 (Kindle Unlimited)
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LOVE Dies HARD 3 (Kindle Unlimited)
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~PLAYLIST~
Love Me Like You Do – Ellie Goulding
One Last Night – Vaults
Chapter 1
Sophie
I’m still in utter disbelief that Marcus Hunter has asked me to marry him. Never in a million years did I think he would ever want to get married, he claimed he was going to ask me months ago, but I found it hard to believe. It all makes me excited and nervous at the same time. I get butterflies just thinking about it.
We decided to wait until we got home from our trip to London to do a pregnancy test, and yes it was positive. Ecstatic and petrified would describe how I felt when I found out I was indeed pregnant. This adds a whole new dimension to getting married, let me tell you. Marcus has been absolutely over the moon about it. Who would ever think a man would be that overjoyed at the prospect of bringing a child into this world? Let alone a man like Marcus, the international playboy. Really, it astonishes me each and every single day. Becoming a mother scares the living daylights out of me, the whole childbirth thing freaks me out. How women survive, it’s a wonder. Can you tell I’m scared? I honestly need to get a grip on the reality of it all.
Marcus is getting ready to move to London again, and I will follow shortly thereafter. I officially gave my notice to Bristol as soon as I returned and Mr. Ward was not one bit surprised. I think he wondered what took me so long; he knew I was dating Marcus Hunter.
*****
Tonight is the annual Hunter Investments Christmas party. How much has transpired in the last year, it would make any girls head spin. We arrive a little later than the others and immediately head to our table. Tasha is at our table and Christopher and Cassie sit next to us. Lovely, just the person I want to sit next to. Cassie Long and I exchange cool hellos. I still remember her last words to me, “So you think Marcus Hunter, the office player, will marry you?” I suppose she’s eating her words right about now. I catch her glancing at the rock on my finger, proving to her that yes, it’s official, we are indeed engaged to be married.
“I guess you proved me wrong Sophie. Somehow you were able to get Marcus to propose to you. The question is will you make it down the aisle with him, you have heard of broken engagements? Oh wait, as I recall you have already broken off an engagement before. Hope you aren’t going to become one of those runaway brides,” Cassie says with laughter in her eyes. She really knows how to make my blood boil. Cool, keep it cool Sophie. Don’t let her rattle you. She really goes for the jugular. I don’t understand why, what have I ever done to her?
“All I know is that I’m one lucky girl,” I smile and reach over and rub Marcus’s leg and give him a flirtatious smile. He looks at me and returns a lustful stare. Take that Cassie Long. “He is incredible between the sheets too,” I lean over to her and whisper. She actually blushes and gets flustered.
“So have you guys set a date?” Christopher leans over and asks.
“Not yet, we’re in the process of moving to London. One thing at a time, we are thinking possibly this summer.” Although realistically, I want to have the baby before we have a wedding. I refuse to buy a maternity wedding gown. But no one needs to know about any of this just yet.
“I can’t believe you two finally got your act together, it was painful to watch you two go back and forth,” Christopher teases.
“I know, it took a painful year to realize we couldn’t live without each other,” I say looking at Cassie and she returns a look of disdain.
“Let’s get some more food,” Marcus suggests.
“Cassie is mean, rude and insensitive,” I huff out, once we’re out of earshot.
“Don’t let her get to you. For some she purposely tries to push your buttons.”
“The reason is standing right next to me,” I quip.
“Look, Cassie has been making a play for me since the day she started. Obviously she wasn’t successful,” he says, trying to reassure me that he is mine.
“Were you ever tempted?” I can’t help asking. She is gorgeous and Christopher seems crazy about her. I’m not sure if the feeling is mutual, she keeps him around, but I can’t help wondering if she’s hoping to hook a bigger fish.
“Don’t ask me those questions. You know I only have eyes for you babe,” Marcus says smoothly, he always says the right thing, my ladies man.
“You always have a smooth response don’t you, Mr. Playboy,” I tease with a smile.
“I love you,” he says softly, squeezing my hand as we approach the dessert table. I have a mean sweet tooth and have been craving sweets even more since I have been pregnant.
“Marcus, Sophie, glad you could join us,” Mrs. Hunter says, coming up behind us.
“Oh hi Mother, yes we were running a little late tonight,” Marcus replies to his stern mother. She is an ice-cold maven. His father has come around, but Mrs. Hunter eyes me as a gold digger, especially since in addition to announcing our engagement, we announced I was expecting. I know she still wonders if I was trying to trap her precious son. I suppose I can’t blame the woman, she will see in due time that is not what I’m about. I will just need to be patient with her and prove her wrong.
“Good Evening Sophie, you look very elegant tonight.” Mrs. Hunter actually gives me a compliment.
“Thank you, I love that color on you,” I reply pleasantly, in spite of how I feel inside towards this woman who will ultimately be my mother-in-law and grandmother to my child. Mrs. Hunter has on a gorgeous dark red silk dress, which screams couture. She dresses beautifully and is always well coiffed. She seems to be making an effort and I’m more than willing to meet her halfway.
Chapter 2
Sophie
This week Marcus appeared on the cover of Bloomberg Markets as an up and coming hedge fund manager. He looks dashing on the cover and I can’t help feeling this could mean trouble for our relationship. Trouble as in women crawling out of the woodworks, new ones approaching him, trying to get a piece of him. I am constantly wary, as if I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. In the blink of an eye being Marcus Hunter’s fiancée, his love interest, could be taken away from me. This isn’t like me to be insecure in a relationship and I don’t like it one bit.
At dinner tonight Marcus told me his phone was ringing off the hook. People he hasn’t heard from since his days at Harvard were calling. He seemed pleased about it, I’m sure being on the cover was a big ego booster, as if he needs his ego boosted any more than it already is. Hope he doesn’t get too big for his britches and too big for little old me.
It has been a couple of months since we got engaged and we’ve settled into our flat in London. Marcus found a lovely flat with a view of Hyde Park. There is no way I wanted to live in his other flat where he had entertained numerous women. The move was hectic and stressful for me, but we are now settled in and at a good place.
I’ve been having some strange cramping all morning. I better lie down for a while. I hope and pray it’s not the baby. There it goes again, a dull pain almost.
Chapter 3
Marcus
Rough day at work fielding calls from various contacts and some people I barely knew congratulating me for making the cover of Bloomberg Markets. I must admit, it was a real feather in my cap, a nod from the industry that I’m more than just lucky sperm. I’ve worked hard at making a name for myself, in my own right. No longer in the shadow of my successful father, I can tell he is proud of me.
“Hi babe,” I call out, walking into our spacious flat that we call home together. “Sophie where are you?” I call out again and walk towards the bedroom in search of my beautiful fiancée.
“In here,” she says softly, her voice sounds strained and weak.
“What’s wrong?” I immediately go to her and she’s in bed with the covers drawn up over her. I turn on the bedside lamp and sit down on the bed next to her, she’s been crying.
“I think I lost the baby,” she says dejectedly.
“What happened, why didn’t you call me?”
“It all happened so suddenly.”
“Are you alright, how do you feel?”
“Really tired.” I take her in my arms and she starts to cry. Tears well in my eyes too.
“Shhh, it’s alright,” I try to soothe her, comfort her as well as myself. This is a blow; we were both so excited. “You rest. Is there anything I can get you? Are you hungry or thirsty?”
“Maybe just a glass of water,” she replies meekly.
I walk briskly into the kitchen to get her a glass of water and come back into the bedroom and hand it to her shaking hand. My poor Sophie, it breaks my heart.
“Do you need to see the doctor?”
“I called and they said I could come in tomorrow.”
“I will go with you babe. Let me change and I will come lie down with you.” I walk into our expansive walk in closet and sit on the ottoman in front of the full-length mirror. I take off my tie, strip off my dress shirt and slacks then toss them down in disappointment.
I crawl in bed with Sophie and just hold her all night long. I feel devastated by our loss. I can’t tell you how thrilled and ecstatic I was when I learned Sophie was carrying our baby. Even surprised the hell out of myself at my excitement. I felt ready to be a Dad, how scary is that? Now it won’t be, at least not in the near future.
We came and went from the doctor’s office and he confirmed that yes she miscarried. He reassured us that this happens and there is no reason why we shouldn’t be able to have a child in the near future.
“I want to set a date for the wedding,” I say, once we get home. Maybe she can distract herself with wedding planning. We need to move forward, I want to marry her as soon as possible. It hasn’t set well with me that we don’t have a date set yet, that was because of the baby. But now that it’s behind us, I want us to look forward to something else, getting married, making us official, make Sophie mine permanently, so she can’t get away from me again.
“Where shall we have the wedding, at home or here in London?” she asks.
“I never thought about having it here in London, I assumed we would have it at home. What would you like? I’m happy to have it wherever you decide.”
“How many people will we have to invite from your side? I was thinking of something small and intimate, not over-the-top. Just something elegant.”
“Knowing my mother, something small is out of the picture.”
“I figured as much, that’s why if we have it in London, less people will probably fly over for it.”
“Good point. Whatever makes you happy, I just want to set a date when you will become my wife,” I say. My comment brings a smile to her face and I take her in my arms.
“Remember, Christopher is coming to London at the end of the month. Can he stay here with us, or would you prefer I put him up at a hotel?”
“I’m good either way, I’ll let you decide. I do love Christopher, I’m fine with him staying here if you’d like.”
“Alright, I will just have him stay here with us.”
“Is he still with Cassie Long?”
“I believe so.”
Chapter 4
Sophie
Christopher arrives and I stay home today to greet him. He is taking a cab over to our flat from Heathrow this afternoon after he lands.
“Hi Christopher, come in,” I say, and greet him with a hug. Christopher is like a brother to me now.
“Hi Sophie, it’s great to see you,” he says, returning the hug and even plants a kiss on my cheek. I show him to our extra bedroom and he puts his suitcase down and freshens up while I wait for him in the kitchen.
“This place is fabulous, but of course I would expect nothing less from Mr. and Mrs. Hunter,” Christopher says, joining me in the kitchen.
“Have a seat, here is a snack and a drink for you,” I say, moving over to the kitchen table to sit across from him.
“You seem happy playing house with Marcus,” Christopher remarks.
“I am, we’re happy. Things are good,” I say reassuringly, although the pregnancy loss still makes me sad at times.
“You look really good, glowing in fact.”
“Why thank you. How are you and Cassie doing?” I can’t help asking.
“Good, I think.”
“You don’t sound real confident.”
“What’s your take on her? Be honest,” Christopher asks.
“Well, if you want me to be honest, she screams Gold Digger to me.”
“Tell me how you really feel,” he laughs.
“She has made a play for Marcus since day one. I just call it like I see it. She’s not right for you.”
“Hmmm, those words of dating advice sound familiar,” Christopher teases, rubbing his chin and looking off in the distance to make a point.
“Yeah, yeah, I remember. Look where I am today from taking your advice,” I say, grinning back at my friend.
“It actually worked out for you two. I had to eat my words. Maybe you will eat your words about Cassie.”
“Are you serious about her?”
“As serious as I’ve ever been about someone before.”
“Really? You surprise me.”
“Why, didn’t you think I would ever consider settling down?”
“I guess I never thought about it. I always put you one step behind Marcus in the ‘I don’t do love’ department. But I guess there is a time when the right person comes along and sweeps you off your feet so to speak.”
“You’re right on that one.”
“When we least expect it right? When we aren’t even expecting it, it sneaks up on you.”
“Cassie is special you know.”
“She is very pretty,” I reply coolly, I’ll give her that. In her case, looks are deceiving, she is beautiful on the outside, but cold, calculating and mean spirited on the inside, judging by the cutting things she has said to me in the past.
“Why don’t you like her?” he asks. Should I tell him the truth?
“She has made cutting remarks to me about my relationship with Marcus,” I venture into dangerous territory. Maybe he should know how mean she can be, and then he can make his own decision.
“Can you be more specific?”
“Stuff like, do I really believe Marcus will marry me, or do I really think I will make it down the aisle with Marcus.”
“Wow, you girls can be brutal to each other.”
“Hey, I have never said anything remotely that rude or callous to another female,” I say in defense.
“I agree with you, those are some pretty catty comments,” he says, looking none to happy about what I just shared about his precious Cassie.
“She definitely has a mean streak, so I would be careful,” I warn. I feel bad telling him, but he should know what she is capable of and to be honest, I sense that she isn’t as into him as he seems to be into her.
“Warning heard loud and clear,” he says, stretching his legs out.
“How are you feeling, tired from the long flight?”
“Yes, I hate long flights, they kill me.”
“Marcus will be home in a couple of hours and we will have dinner if you last that long,” I laugh.
“I’m going to take a shower and take a short nap, if that’s alright?”
“Go ahead, be my guest. Make yourself at home and let me know if you need anything.”
Chapter 5
Marcus
Damn, my girl is sexy.
“How did I get so lucky?”
“I don’t know Mr. Hunter, why don’t you tell me.”
“We’re sickening, aren’t we?”
“I never thought I was capable of loving someone as much as I love you.”
“I feel the same way, Marcus. It scares me sometimes.”
“Sophie, it still amazes me how similar we are when it comes to relationships. Early on I though you were a female version of me.”
“Oh really, I’ve never been a playgirl!”
“Hmmm, the way you bedded me, but kept seeing another guy, I would call that being a playgirl, sweetheart.”
“Would you now,” she says, brushing my lips with hers and rubbing her body up against me.
My little minx is in the mood and who am I to ever deny her a session of hot sex.
*****
The next morning Christopher and I are heading into work, Carlton is driving.
“Hey man, you guys are loud,” Christopher teases.
“Oh yeah, sorry, I was afraid you might hear Sophie. She can be a little minx.”
“You’re a lucky man my friend. You know that, right?” he says.
“That I do my friend, that I do. How’s it going with Cassie?” I ask.
“I like her, things are going well I think.”
“So what’s with the I think?”
“Sophie told me some cutting remarks Cassie has made to her and they were just mean and catty. To be honest, it turned me off to know she could take a dig at Sophie like that.”
“I’m not sure she’s the girl for you, Christopher.” The way Cassie would come onto me, even right in front of him wasn’t cool. She screams opportunist to me, but how do I tell him that?
Chapter 6
Sophie
Marcus and I are taking Christopher out to see Belgravia Underground tonight so he can experience the London club scene.
I love Belgravia Underground and am excited that I will get to feast my eyes on that Richie Stone. He is amazing on stage, inside I swoon like a groupie, but I play it cool in front of Marcus. I wouldn’t want him getting jealous on me.
We walk into the dark club and Christopher takes in the scene once we settle in at a table up in front, to the side of the stage.
“You’ll love this band, they are fan-freaking-tastic!”
“Wow, they impressed you?” Christopher replies.
“Hi, I remember you,” Julia says, coming up to our table. She is Richie’s girlfriend and she must remember us from the last time we came to see them play. That was almost a year ago. I certainly remember her.
“Hi again, it’s Sophie,” I say, reminding her of my name just in case she forgot.
“Yes, I remember. Hi, Marcus,” she says. She remembers Marcus because he has come to see the band a few times when we weren’t together. Marcus introduces Julia to Christopher.
After we rock out and enjoy the music, the other half of the fun is hanging out backstage afterwards and partying with the band. I can catch up with Julia too. I really liked her the first time we met and could use a friend now that we will be in London for a few months.
While the guys are bonding over drinks, we find a somewhat quiet table where we can chat.
“So, you are back together with Marcus?” Julia asks me.
“Yes, we are actually engaged now,” I reply beaming.
“Wow, that’s great. Congratulations! I knew you guys were meant to be, I could tell the last time I met you two and saw him with you. It just took you guys awhile to realize it.”
“I know, it was me, I thought someone else was the one I should be marrying. Then I realized my heart was with Marcus,” I say, looking over at him standing afar with Richie and Christopher. Eyeing him from across the room still makes my heart flutter.
“When are you getting married?”
“This summer probably, we haven’t set a date yet.”
“Where are you thinking of having the wedding?”
“I am considering having it here in London. I want something small and intimate. If we have it at home it will turn into some lavish, over-the-top, affair his mother will no doubt orchestrate.”
“Why, is she a handful?” Julia asks.
“You could say that. I call her the ice maven,” I reply and we laugh at my nickname for his mother dearest.
“Do you have any suggestions as to where would be a good place to get married and have a reception? The Savoy is kind of our special place. I was thinking of having the reception there.”
“The Savoy is lovely, it would be a wonderful place. It’s really classy.”
“I believe it would meet the Hunter family’s standard.”
“You have a stunning ring on, are you and Richie engaged now?”
“We are married now!” Julia exclaims.
“You’re kidding me, congratulations! It seems sudden, but I guess it has been almost a year since I last saw you. A lot can happen in a year,” I reply and don’t I know it. I’ve had a roller coaster twelve months myself.
“So what’s been going on in your life since we last met? If I recall correctly, you were set on not being with Marcus. But I knew better from watching you two together,” Julia says with a gleam in her eye.
“Yes, you pegged us right.”
“After I came to visit Marcus, I went back to LA and started seriously dating the husband material boyfriend. He ticked all the boxes, he was loyal, and hunky, successful and he loved me. We got engaged, planned a wedding and then fate intervened,” I divulge all the gory details.
“You mean Marcus intervened?”
“Yes, I ran into him at a money manager convention. We kept trying for one last night together, when I realized I wanted more than just one last night with him. I wanted every night with him,” I say wistfully.
“Awww, that is so romantic. That’s passionate love at it’s finest.”
“I know, I came to my senses and called off my engagement. Marcus has made me the happiest woman, although I still can’t help but feel like it’s all too good to be true,” I admit.
“I know that feeling, I used to battle it too. The whole idea of marriage used to sound so final to me, I wasn’t sure it was something I wanted to do. But when you meet the right person, the one that makes your heart flutter, then marriage doesn’t sound scary anymore. It becomes something you want because you want to be with that person forever.”
“Exactly,” I say in agreement.
“Are you working at Hunter Investments now that you live in London?”
“I will resume work next week. I have just been settling in the last couple of weeks,” I reply. My thoughts return to losing the baby and it fills me with sadness. I try and remind myself that it will happen for us. I wasn’t sure I wanted kids, but once I found out I was pregnant and after I got over the shock of it, I started to want the baby very much. Plus seeing Marcus so excited warmed my heart.
“What’s wrong, Sophie?” Julia asks.
“Oh nothing.”
“You looked far off there for a minute.”
The guys come and join us. Marcus plants a kiss on my lips and wraps his arms around me. I can’t get over how affectionate he is in public.
A long, dark haired beauty approaches Julia and says hello.
“Hi Bethany. I want you to meet Sophie and this is Marcus, her fiancée. This is their friend Christopher.” Julia introduces us to Bethany who is Johnny Price’s girlfriend. Johnny is the bassist for Belgravia Underground. Bethany’s roommate Vanessa is with her and we all exchange hellos.
